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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
St. Andrew's Church
St. Andrew's Church occupies a commanding position on the Terrace, Wellington. By one of the first ships that came out with the founders of the Colony, a minister of the Church of Scotland was sent in the person of the Rev. Mr. MacFarlane. He first preached at Britannia, on the Petone beach, which was originally intended as the site of the city, until the position was found to be endangered by river floods. When the pioneers of the Colony removed across the harbour to the present site of the city, the New Zealand Company granted to the Church of Scotland, on payment of £100, 100 acres of country land (which the church still holds at Turakina), and one town acre. The late Robert Rodger Strang acted as agent for the Church of Scotland. The Colonial Government at an early period of the city's history, granted a fine site with 100 feet frontage to Lambton Quay, and on this site the original Presbyterian Church was erected. In after years the little building was sold, the purchaser actually trundling it bodily across the street, and it now forms part of the Central Hotel. The foundation stone of a second church was laid on the 22nd of June, 1866. In 1878 the land on Lambton Quay having become very valuable, the site and buildings, excepting twenty feet which had been previously parted with to the Supreme Court, were sold to the Colonial Bank, who, in conjunction with the South British Insurance Company, erected the handsome structure, which now forms so prominent a feature of Lambton Quay. The present site on the Tarrace was secured at this time, and the splendid edifice so familiar to Wellingtonians was erected. The plans of St. Andrew's Church were drawn by the late Mr. Toxward, architect, and were carried out by Messrs. Scoullar and Archibald, the successful tenderers. The new building was opened on the 20th of July, 1879, and is one of the prettiest churches, not only in the city, but in the Colony. The interior is most luxurious in its appointments, the seats being comfortably cushioned and spring seated. A handsome gallery runs round the building. The total accommodation of St. Andrew's Church is for about 400 persons. The church possesses a fine two manual organ.